DRUM respects Ombud’s ruling

A ruling made by the Press Ombudsman (Johan Retief) has been made public, based on a story published by DRUM magazine on 26 June 2014. The story was about musician, Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye, allegedly having sex while in prison and enjoying “special privileges” while incarcerated. The Department of Correctional Services has denied these reports.

“DRUM respects the role and office of the Press Ombudsman as a voluntary regulatory body of the country’s media institutions and will comply with its ruling” says DRUM editor, Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa.

“We believe in this system and I feel strongly, especially with the current wave of attacks against the Ombud & Public Protector system that it needs our support and follow through. The editorial team was 100% sure of the story at the time of its publication and would never deliberately publish untruths.My team is obviously disheartened but I have full confidence in their work. We obviously feel disappointed because we trusted our sources but that is not the issue. We must strive to do better.”

In his investigations, The Ombudsman approached the Department of Correctional Services regarding the allegations of Maarohanye having sex in prison and the department denied these. While working on the story DRUM also approached the department for comment, but correctional services would neither confirm nor deny the claims. “Why the Department refused to comment to questions by DRUM will forever remain a mystery,” Zwane-Siguqa remarks.

Maarohanye is currently serving 25 years for the murder of four school children after a drug-fuelled drag race in March 2010.

August 2017

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